Transmission of Chikungunya Virus

Chikungunya virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person infected with chikungunya virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other humans when they bite. Monkeys, and possibly other wild animals, may also serve as reservoirs of the virus.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the principle vector responsible for transmitting the chikungunya virus to humans.

Aedes aegypti (the yellow fever mosquito), a species of mosquito that breeds in household containers, is an aggressive biter during the day, and is attracted to humans for bloodmeals. Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito) has also played a role in human transmission in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Various forest-dwelling mosquito species in Africa have been found to be infected with the virus.